Windows XP contains
a feature which automatically runs the software on a CD or DVD loaded
into an optical drive on your computer. This is designed as a
convenience, but can have the unintended consequence of loading or
executing programs on your PC without your permission. Microsoft
developers have created what they call a PowerToy -- an unsupported but
free piece of software you can install, which allows you to easily
disable autorun on your optical drives.
Steps
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1Visit the Microsoft Windows XP Powertoys Page and download TweakUI.Ad
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2Run TweakUI. Go to the Start menu, select programs, and look for a folder called PowerToys.
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3Expand the My Computer menu by clicking on the + to left of My Computer
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4Expand the Autoplay Menu
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5Select the Drives menu, and deselect the optical drives on your computer. To do this, click on the checkbox so that the checkmark goes away.
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6Select the Types Menu and deselect the Enable Autoplay for CD and DVD Drives option.
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7When you insert CDs or DVDs into your PC now, they will not run automatically. Go to the My Computer folder to view these drives and their contents.